The districts of southern Odisha were put on high alert on Saturday after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal would intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next six hours.
The state’s Special Relief Commissioner held video conferencing with the collectors of seven districts and directed them to immediately start preparations for possible wind action, waterlogging, floods and landslides.
“Adequate awareness is being done about the cyclonic storm. All the concerned officers and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions are being mobilized. Collectors have assured to take all action,” SRC Pradeep Kumar Jena said on Saturday.
Mr Jena said he held discussions with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Response Force (ODRAF) and the Director General of Police (Odisha) for deployment forces.
“While two districts are likely to be affected by the cyclonic storm, 66 ODRAF, 24 NDRF and around 100 fire brigade will be deployed. These units have been asked to be shifted immediately,” Mr Jena said on Twitter.
The latest bulletin issued by the IMD said, “The deep pressure over north and adjoining central Bay of Bengal moved westwards with a speed of 14 kmph during the last 6 hours and moved to northwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.” Centered about 470 km east-southeast in AD, 540 km east-northeast of Gopalpur and Kalingapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).
It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next six hours. It is very likely to move almost westwards and cross north Andhra Pradesh – south Odisha coasts between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur around Kalingapatnam by September 26 evening,” predicted the IMD.
As predicted, heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at one or two places over Kandhamal, Ganjam, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Gajapati districts of Odisha on September 26.
Its impact can lead to flash floods, water logging and flooding in low-lying areas and can lead to informal and raw Road and wall collapse of the weak raw houses. There may be flash floods and landslides due to natural calamity between 27 and 28 September.
Leaves of all district level officers in Gajapati have been canceled and they have been asked to remain alert.
“We can experience wind speed up to 90 kmph gusting to 70 to 80 kmph. This system is going to take the form of a cyclonic storm. Two days – 26 and 27 September – are very important for us because of the forecast of heavy rains,” said Ganjam district collector Vijay Amrita Kulange.
Mr Kulange said teams were formed at the block level to deal with the situation, especially in the low-lying areas along the Rushikulya and Bahuda rivers.
The Ganjam Collector said, “Preparations are in full swing to relocate the vulnerable section of the population. We are also preparing to evacuate people from the hilly areas. People should avoid low-lying areas and hilly areas.” People have been banned from going to tourist places.
In 2018, Cyclone Titli, which hit the same region of Odisha, caused massive floods and landslides that claimed many lives.
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